This was the first few rolls on my TLR, the loading was not right hence the frame lines where not aligned. The Stills where incoherent, unrelated and unbalanced much like how I was when I was there. And no theme was applied to pull the Stills together except for the music in the background that somehow gives direction of indirection.

Since my last essay last December January 2010 (Watchtower), I have not picked up my camera. Sure I had to readjust my way into a new city, as I had just transferred from a metropolis to another. One of the main reason is of course time, especially in a place as competitive and as fast paced as the one I am living in right now.
Before that hiatus, I was even trying to shake things up by trying to change gears and see if that would bring newfound interest in the hobby but to no avail. Since shifting to film I have always been against instant cameras with instant gratifications AKA Digital Camera. How people easily brandishing the camera like just another trendy accessory. Opting for a more difficult and challenging route, but a much more rewarding result in our view anyway.
In that journey I met like-minded individuals that share the same passion or more in keeping the passion for this type of photography alive. Lomo would be another enemy but that would be for another day.
So when our company set out to tour the province of Kyushu in Japan, I instinctual packed my Mamiya C220, which has been gathering dust in my closet. After Five days and four nights I came home with one roll of exposed 120 film, not a great sign on my dwindling interest in the hobby. But I did manage to carry with me my iphone with the Hipstamatic Application (http://hipstamaticapp.com/) wherever I go, warranting some Thirty-Seven images and twelve of those I will share in this essay. Yes it’s a digital application that simulates the analog experience using your portable phone. Yes it is indeed cheating those that you have preceded. Yes it is not considered photography in some avenues. And yes not everyone with a camera, digital camera, or phone camera can consider himself or herself a Photographer. I have not in any way claim or will claim that I am a photographer, so just to clear that up.
I believe this makes the title of the essay relevant when you look from this point of view. Back to the visual diary.
An essay without story, more of an opinion on what was felt when I was there. There was a certain melancholy in the atmosphere, how the people walk past each other without even giving a glance or acknowledgement of the encounter. Kyushu was scenic all right; yes I did enjoy the trip though I wasn’t able to score vinyl on the trip (more on that later). It was a fruitful one, as with all the trips that I have been. Being able to get a glimpse or even experience a foreign culture in a foreign land is always a beautiful experience.

The Streets of Nagasaki

Unfortunately not the famous bullet train

Kumamoto Sea Gulls

Udo Shrine, Miyazaki City. This took almost five hours of grueling bus ride a real painful experience

Male guests have to throw this using they’re left hand I got one inside the Ochichi- Iwa Rocks

Tenmon-Kan District

Mt. Aso

Tatami Mats, Shabu Shabu

Kumamoto Castle

Traditional Brownies at Suizenji-Koen Garden

Juke Records, Tenjin
Looked promising enough when I first stepped into it. Real packed with rare soul and funk unfortunately I was looking for Jazz records. I was tempted to pick up a clean copy of a Bobby Enriquez album and a few more Free Jazz joint. Held it up and just moved away. Not worth bringing it all the way back home. Tried to go to a few more shops but having limited time I just opted to go back to the meeting point. Not a great time.